DON’T GIMME CHOC TREATMENT!

The acts decline because of the company's alleged controversial marketing methods in developing countries...

PULP and IAN BROWN have refused to take part in a V2001 promotion involving multi-national company NESTLE.

Following their refusal, the national secretary of the National Union of Students has threatened a campaign to boycott the festival because of the Nestle link.

Pulp, Ian Brown and Dodgy were invited to be part of a major promotion on 33 million chocolate bars in the run-up to this year’s V2001. But each of them has told NME.COM that they declined because of what campaigners claim are Nestle’s controversial marketing methods in developing countries – particularly regarding the concern that the company has not been adhering to international codes on the marketing of breast milk substitutes.

Pulp were asked to contribute a song to a CD as a promotion on wrappers of Aero, Yorkie, Munchies and Milky Bar. They issued the following statement to NME.COM: “Pulp recently turned down a request from Nestle-Rowntree to use a picture of Jarvis and put a track on a giveaway CD to promote the company’s chocolate bars. When, around the time of last year’s V2000 Festival, they granted permission to Golden/Cinnamon Grahams to use a track on a giveaway CD, they were oblivious to the fact that there was a connection between these tasty and nutritious breakfast cereals and the World Health Organisation standard violating multi-national.”

Nestle has issued a statement insisting that they market their products ethically. In part, it reads: “We endeavour to sell infant milk according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Code and within any national laws or guidelines. We put clear instructions for use on all our packs, including in pictoral form.”

For the full story, see this week’s NME, out in London today (January 16), and nationwide from tomorrow (January 17).